Text in English / Negation and tense markers in the verb structure have been the subject of diverse linguistic descriptions, especially in Bantu languages. In Mozambique, however, many Bantu languages, including Cilenge, have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to examine tense and negation in Cilenge, with special reference to the strategies used to indicate negation and various tenses, from data collected in the Valenge community in Chidenguele, Manjacaze district, Gaza province. The study has shown that this language has wide categories of the past, while the future may be closer or distant and the present appears as focused, habitual, continuous and progressive. The variation and positioning of tense markers are mainly determined by the characteristics of the verb root. In relation to negation, Cilenge employs three strategies: the negative concord, the post-initial and the post-verbal. In some contexts, negative markers may also signal tense. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

The main aim of this study was to assess the degree of similarity or variation between the two cross-border standardised varieties of the Sena language spoken in Malawi and Mozambique. The study sets out to test the hypothesis that the two varieties are similar enough to be standardised into one common standard Sena. A contrastive analysis was done on the translated Biblical texts of Jonah and Matthew in both varieties on the grammatical, orthographical and lexical level. The findings show that on a grammatical and lexical level there is minimal variation, but on an orthographical level there is a 20% variation partly due to different orthographic conventions used by the translators. These findings suggest that in the light of the current trend of regionalisation, standardisation is desirable and could be achieved by a cross-border language commission. / Linguistics / M.A.

The main aim of this study was to assess the degree of similarity or variation between the two cross-border standardised varieties of the Sena language spoken in Malawi and Mozambique. The study sets out to test the hypothesis that the two varieties are similar enough to be standardised into one common standard Sena. A contrastive analysis was done on the translated Biblical texts of Jonah and Matthew in both varieties on the grammatical, orthographical and lexical level. The findings show that on a grammatical and lexical level there is minimal variation, but on an orthographical level there is a 20% variation partly due to different orthographic conventions used by the translators. These findings suggest that in the light of the current trend of regionalisation, standardisation is desirable and could be achieved by a cross-border language commission. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A.

The study sought to explore possibilities of harmonising Shona-Nyai cross-border varieties in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Emerging from the responses were problems of attitudes, ignorance of what the harmonisation project entails and the different levels of development among the varieties to be harmonised. Participants believed that the challenges they faced could be resolved and they proposed some intervention strategies. Results from the questionnaire, the interview and documents analysed affirmed the generally held view that, the future of Shona-Nyai as a language and culture is securely in the hands of the speakers’ initiatives. The argument of the study has been that, the success of such a harmonisation project depends on the presence of favourable and conducive political and economic conditions through enabling language engineering activities. Information collected from the questionnaires was mainly presented in tables and information from interviews and document analysis was presented qualitatively in words. The language as a right and the language as resource orientations of language planning guided this study. The intention was to show that the preservation of linguistic diversity is important in the maintenance of group and individual identity and harmonisation should further this cause. Findings from this thesis indicate that for a successful harmonisation project to take place there is need for research in the documentation of underdeveloped Shona-Nyai varieties so that they have some presence in the education domain. The study recommends that people’s mindsets must be changed by packaging the harmonisation project in a way which they understand and appreciate. A holistic approach in solving the language problem can be achieved through a mixed approach of language policy formulation. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African languages)

The study sought to explore possibilities of harmonising Shona-Nyai cross-border varieties in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Emerging from the responses were problems of attitudes, ignorance of what the harmonisation project entails and the different levels of development among the varieties to be harmonised. Participants believed that the challenges they faced could be resolved and they proposed some intervention strategies. Results from the questionnaire, the interview and documents analysed affirmed the generally held view that, the future of Shona-Nyai as a language and culture is securely in the hands of the speakers’ initiatives. The argument of the study has been that, the success of such a harmonisation project depends on the presence of favourable and conducive political and economic conditions through enabling language engineering activities. Information collected from the questionnaires was mainly presented in tables and information from interviews and document analysis was presented qualitatively in words. The language as a right and the language as resource orientations of language planning guided this study. The intention was to show that the preservation of linguistic diversity is important in the maintenance of group and individual identity and harmonisation should further this cause. Findings from this thesis indicate that for a successful harmonisation project to take place there is need for research in the documentation of underdeveloped Shona-Nyai varieties so that they have some presence in the education domain. The study recommends that people’s mindsets must be changed by packaging the harmonisation project in a way which they understand and appreciate. A holistic approach in solving the language problem can be achieved through a mixed approach of language policy formulation. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African languages)